Does it appear, that, at this early period, they had a correct opinion of the length of the year?

It was altogether impossible, that they could be acquainted with the length of the year as it now stands, since it does not agree with the course of the sun and moon as exactly now, as before the deluge.

Then, you think, the antediluvians were acquainted with this astronomical fact?

It is obvious, that each patriarch, mentioned by Moses, lived through so many revolving seasons, that unavoidably they must have ascertained the length of their year. It is remarkable, that the period, assigned by the Hebrew historians, for the duration of the deluge, amounts precisely to a year, and that1 year was the ancient lunisolar year, consisting of twelve months, of thirty days each.

It must, I suppose, have been a very considerable period, before they rectified their year to the sun's true course?

Yes; it was not for many hundred years after the deluge, that they extended their year beyond 360 days. The extent of the wall around the city of Babylon was 360 furlongs; for the post-diluvians had yet to learn the violence of the shock sustained by the earth at the deluge: to ascertain this, observations were yet to be multiplied; they were redoubled; and the

result was, that, in Alexander's time, these walls were in circuit 365 furlongs, the addition coinciding with the days added to the ancient year. These diligent astronomers also formed a catalogue of the most conspicuous stars in the moon's path; these they denominated the luna zodta, or path of that luminary among the constellations. One of the strongest proofs of the proficiency of the Chaldeans in astronomy is exhibited in their famous cycle of eighteen years, afterwards attributed to Meto. They had likewise another grand period of sixty years, and a third lunisolar period of six hundred years. It is, I trust, obvious, from what has been said, that it was not in Egypt, nor in Persia, that astronomy first reared its head, but on the spot inhabited by the rescued family for about two centuries. There, as from a reservoir, flowed out the streams of astronomical science, which enriched, and guided, and directed, the people in all their migrations.

On a former occasion you said, that the descendants of Noah dwelt in the neighbourhood of the place, where the ark rested, for about one hundred and forty-four years: you now speak of about two centuries. How are the

two statements to be reconciled?

Because it was after that period, that they journeyed from the east, and found a plain in the land of Shinar, and dwelt there, and made

bricks, and burnt them thoroughly, and drew up a plan, and made some progress in building a city and a tower: for all this, I allow them the difference of time you have so properly remarked. For the purposes of husbandry the Chaldean shepherds, diligently studied astronomy. The principles and practice, thus cherished, were extended and amplified by the daring navigators of Phoenicia, and, in succeeding ages, by the philosophers of Persia, Egypt, and India, were carried to the utmost point of perfection attainable at those remote periods.

CHAPTER XV.

THE PRIMEVAL

:

BY THE

SYSTEM OF ASTRONOMY BROKEN

DISPERSION OF THE PATRIARCHAL

FAMILIES, AND CORRUPTED BY THE ALLEGORIES
SO PREVALENT THROUGHOUT THE EAST.

In our last conversation, we left the inhabitants of the renovated world making progress in science, near the spot where the ark rested. Can you tell me the circumstance, which occasioned the separation of a people so tenderly bound together, as was the family of Noah?

It resulted from a miraculous change of language, which took place among them, in consequence of their building a city and a tower. But do you think, mamma, that this was improper ?

The action, separately considered, certainly was not. But as it stands recorded by Moses, it called for a token of disapprobation, upon two accounts. Disobedience was its basis, and ambition would have been its topmost stone. The descendants of Noah had received a divine command to disperse themselves abroad, and thus "replenish the earth;" but this command

had been but very partially obeyed. It is possible, that a few individuals might have migrated into China and India; but the general object was, to prevent such dispersions; for they said, "Let us build a city and a tower, lest we be scattered abroad." Disobedience was certainly improper; and a love of self, as much as a love of science, influenced them, when they said, "Let us build us a city and a tower, and let us make us a name." Ambition and selflove, are things, which God abhors, and which he has ever marked with the severest indications of his displeasure.

Do you not think the people were panicstruck by the new languages introduced among them?

I should apprehend something of the kind at first; but in the dispersion which ensued, I cannot conceive any thing like confusion, but simply a division, every individual uniting with the company that spake his language.

Will it be unseasonable for me to inquire, whither the descendants of Noah and their families migrated?

The concise statement I shall give you will not be an unsuitable digression. But I must assure you, that little can be said with certainty. Shem appears for the remainder of his days to have hovered about the plains of Shinar. From his descendants sprang the inhabitants of